Cheri Hessami

Experience

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  District of West Vancouver

  Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

  Special Events Assistant

  - Researched and complied detailed report on Special Events policies across Vancouver's Lower Mainland- Assisted in planning and organization of Lilith Music Festival and Harmony Arts Festival – over 20,000 attendees and 30 presenters- Oversaw volunteers, represented the District at various local non-profit events and fundraisers

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  Urban Groove Dance Project

  Sept 2010 - Jun 2013

  Coordinator

  Director of McGill's Hip Hop Dance Crew; responsible for all operational and creative aspects of 30+ member dance team.- Produced 6+ shows across Montreal; Responsible for organizing schedules, finances, fund-raising, running meetings and rehearsals, managing dancers and leading a 14-person executive team- Also held the VP Tech position for 3 years: responsible for promotional videos, editing in-show videos, organizing music and lighting cues, directing technical aspects of biannual productions Show less

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  McGill University

  Jun 2012 - Jun 2013

  Course Packs Editor

  - Responsible for editing and compiling course packs for classroom use- Trained in TrueEdit software; responsible for acquiring copyright permissions, scanning, organizing and assembling reading materials, communicating with professors in a time-sensitive working environment

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  Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - Capilano Group of Companies

  Sept 2013 - Jan 2014

  Theme and Merchandising Assistant

  Worked within the Theme and Merchandising team to ensure adherence to Capilano branding standards:- Assisted with planning, organization, and set-up of park events, Canyon Lights 2013- Generated ideas, strategies and best practices for special events- Maintained costume/uniform stocks and inventory- Partnered with Human Relations in administering costume/uniform deposits and paperwork - Delivered individual uniform fittings and ensured costume guidelines were met by all operations employees Show less

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  MetaOptima Technology Inc.

  Dec 2013 - Oct 2016

  Operations Manager

  Oversaw several main functions ensuring effective provisioning of: Brand and Design, Marketing and Communications, Product Development, Customer Relations and Training, Regulatory Approvals, Human Resources, and Accounting. Promoted from Research Analyst & Coordinator Role in April 2015.Key Responsibilities included:• Managing customer relations, marketing, communications and brand operations; ensuring all content produced is in line with MetaOptima brand and vision.• Organizing and overseeing design team; writing clear and attractive content for print and online marketing; developing educational and instructional content for MoleScope - a skin cancer screening device and app.• Team lead for several successful pilot projects and awareness campaigns with key strategic partners including the Government of Canada, the RCMP, La Roche-Posay, London Drugs.• Responsible for successful completion of risk analysis documentation and applications for international regulatory approvals including Health Canada, FDA, TGA and CE marking. Overseeing and implementing SOPs for medical devices and product management.• Planning and executing company-wide events, including conferences and trade shows: World Congress of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Canadian Melanoma Conference, BC Tech Summit.• Managing, developing, and implementing best practices for Customer Service; handling customer requests and complaints• Developing and implementing HR practices including screening and interviewing new hires, on-boarding and off-boarding, handling employee relations.• Bookkeeping and expenses and payroll management; assisting with budgeting & financial audits.• Liaising with outside equipment and service providers, and ensuring a smooth running office. • Assisting with writing and submitting various grant applications. Show less

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  Culturally Defined Dance Family

  Sept 2016 - Jan 2020

  Instructor & Crew Dancer

  Culturally Defined is a hip hop and street dance company, based in Vancouver, Canada. We offer an open space for dancers from all walks of life to explore and strengthen our shared passion for dance.

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  Tandem Innovation Group Inc.

  Oct 2016 - Jan 2020

  Co-Founder, Community Experience

  So you’ve started your new business, opened a bank account, and bought QuickBooks - now what?Tandem is an accounting firm focused on servicing startups and tech companies. We offer on-demand CFO services along with a full-service back office team to suit each startup’s needs - whether that be preparing for capital raising, internal control procedures, company policy development, or general monthly accounting/bookkeeping needs. To help our startup community, we offer training and workshops for entrepreneurs, and provide support to your in house accounting and HR teams. Responsibilities:• Responsible for recruiting, on-boarding, and coordinating work placements for new employees and CFO affiliates• Developing bookkeeper training materials and marketing content • Coordinating training and workshops for bookkeepers and entrepreneurs Show less

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  Tamwood Careers Ltd.

  Jan 2017 - Sept 2018

  Program Coordinator

  • Developed Tamwood's new Global Startup School (GSS) - launched January 2018• Assisted with successful PTIB Application for: Applied Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Applied Certificate in Marketing for Startups, and Applied Certificate in Business Management for Startups• Assisted with curriculum planning, course scheduling, budgeting and financial modelling, marketing content development, partnerships, and program implementation• Coordinated recruitment process for GSS Program Managers and Instructors• Taught Into to Technology workshop covering GSuite, Slack and Gmail Show less

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  Happy Cities

  May 2017 - Dec 2023

  Happy City is an urban planning, design and architecture consultancy that uses an evidence-based approach to create happier, healthier and more inclusive communities. We lead research and experiments around the world to understand how cities can transform human happiness.Our cities influence the way we move, behave and feel. Happy City uses lessons from psychology, neuroscience and public health to design happiness into neighbourhoods and cities worldwide. Through research, collaborative consulting and deep engagement, we help clients turn evidence into pragmatic design and action. Show less

  • Director, Operations & Wellbeing

    May 2023 - Dec 2023

  • Head of Operations and Wellbeing

    Jan 2022 - May 2023

  • Urbanist & HR Lead

    May 2017 - Dec 2021
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  The Alinker Inventions Ltd.

  Sept 2017 - May 2018

  Project Coordinator

  Innovation for inclusion - The Alinker is a non-motorized walking bike, designed for everyone who wants to maintain an active life regardless of their movement abilities/disabilities. It is designed to be so cool that it overcomes the uneasiness towards disabilities that is felt by mainstream society.As Project Coordinator, I was responsible for:- Development of content for #keepingmoving program & partners- Community partner engagement: building relationships with partner organizations and influencers like the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC and the Amputee Coalition of BC and their associated networks Show less

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  Jonnon CCC

  Nov 2019 - now

  Co-Founder

  Jonnon is a Vancouver-based Community Contribution Company that produces locally-made clothing, accessories and promotional products from high-end deadstock and upcycled materials. Every purchase provides meaningful employment within the local community.We work with local sewers and artists who face barriers to employment, like mental illness or physical disability, incorporating their skills and craft into our pieces. All our products are handmade in small batches, using existing low-impact resources - featuring recycled textiles whenever possible. Many of our promotional products are upcycled from retired street banners that are donated and rescued from landfill. Show less

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  City of Vancouver

  Nov 2023 - now

  Planner II - Activation, Pilot and Policy Projects